Regulation of gene expression in preimplantation mouse embryos: effects of the zygotic clock and the first mitosis on promoter and enhancer activities

Previous studies have reported that promoters requiring enhancers for full activity in mammalian somatic cells also require enhancers when injected into mouse two-cell embryos, whereas the same promoters can be expressed just as efficiently in the absence of an enhancer when injected into arrested one-cell embryos. Experiments were designed to determine whether this phenomenon reflected normal developmental changes at the beginning of mammalian development, or simply differences in the physiological states of these cells under the experimental conditions employed. The activity of three different promoters that function in a wide variety of mammalian cells was measured both in embryos whose morphological development was arrested and in embryos that continued development in vitro. Expression of the injected gene was related to the onset of zygotic gene expression ("zygotic clock"), the phase of the cell proliferation cycle, the use of aphidicolin to arrest cell proliferation, and formation of two-cell embryos in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that promoter activity was tightly linked to zygotic gene expression, while the need for enhancers to stimulate promoter activity depended only on formation of a two-cell embryo. These results further support the hypothesis that the first mitosis induces a general repression of promoters prior to initiation of zygotic gene expression that is relieved specifically by enhancers.

Changes of lipo-melanosome membrane leakage versus pH, charge and composition

Liposome models of melanosomes (lipo-melanosomes) were used to investigate how phospholipid composition, charge and medium pH may affect the lipo-melanosome membrane permeability to active oxygen species or melanin synthesis intermediaries. Active oxygen accumulated only at pH 6.4 and was polarographically monitored using superoxide dismutase and/or catalase. Cholesterol appears to increase the O2- accumulation at pH 6.4 while incorporation of positive phospholipids within lipo-melanosomes results in the loss of latency with respect to tyrosinase substrate and intermediates of melanin synthesis.

Synthesis and anti-HIV-1 activity of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-5-methylimidazo[4,5,1-jk][1,4]benzodiazepin- 2(1H)-one (TIBO) derivatives

A series of 6-substituted 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-5-methylimidazo[4,5,1-jk][1,4]benzodiazepin- 2(1H)-ones (9) have been synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit the replication of the HIV-1 virus in MT-4 cells. Two synthetic methods are described, one of which allows the synthesis of single enantiomers of the final products. A structure-activity study was done within the series of compounds to determine the optimum group for the 6-position substitution and to determine whether the activity was enantiospecific at the 5-position, which was substituted with a methyl group. The best analogue, 9jj, inhibited HIV-1 with an IC50 of 4 microM, which is comparable to the activity level of DDI, a 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside-type structure undergoing clinical trials as an anti-AIDS therapy.

[Juvenile dermatomyositis: clinical manifestations and laboratory tests]

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a chronic, inflammatory degenerative entity with multisystemic involvement, particularly of skin and striated muscle. This is a description of the clinical features, laboratory findings and treatment results in 10 children with JDM which were under control along a 14 years period (1974-1988) in a general hospital at metropolitan Santiago, Chile. Onset was insidious in 8 cases and acute in the remaining patients. All children had muscle and skin involvement, 90% of them showed heliotrops erythema and 6 cases (among the total 10) had one or more additional skin signs. Ninety percent of patients had risen serum activity of muscle associated enzymes, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) being the most constantly elevated: 7/7 studied cases. All patients showed abnormal electromyographic and histologic findings in muscle biopsy. Treatment was based upon rehabilitation, prednisone (average daily dose: 1.5 mg.kg of body weight) associated or not with cytotoxic drugs, accordingly to each individual case. Clinical course was considered to be favourable in 9 of the 10 cases because all of them showed no evidence of disease activity on last follow up control 26 to 93 months after initial consultation, six had only slight restriction to wider range movements of affected joints and three showed no sequelae. Only one death occurred in this series, to a patient who rejected treatment.

Anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer without bone graft

We followed 30 patients for more than 2 years after anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer for persistent patellofemoral pain associated with patellar articular degeneration. Twelve of these patients were followed more than 5 years. We report 93% good and excellent results subjectively and 89% good and excellent results objectively. The quality of improvement was sustained in all 12 of the patients who were evaluated again after more than 5 years from surgery. When examined separately, 75% of those patients with advanced patellar arthrosis achieved a good result; none of these patients achieved an excellent result. Postoperative continuous passive motion has markedly reduced the incidence of stiffness. Serious complications such as compartment syndrome, infection, and skin slough were avoided completely in 51 consecutive cases. Patellofemoral contact pressure studies in five cadaver knees have shown that anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer can provide substantial reduction of patellofemoral contact stress while helping to balance medial and lateral facet pressures. This surgical procedure is mechanically and clinically successful for alleviating intractable pain related to patellar malalignment and articular degeneration. This procedure enables the majority of appropriately selected patients with malalignment and patellar articular degeneration to resume increased levels of activity with substantially diminished pain.

Selection of Astaxanthin-Overproducing Mutants of Phaffia rhodozyma with β-Ionone

β-Ionone, an end ring analog of β-carotene, inhibits astaxanthin production in the red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma . Astaxanthin-overproducing mutants of this yeast are easily spotted on β-ionone-containing yeast malt agar plates. β-Ionone appears to block astaxanthin synthesis at the β-carotene level.

Mutagenicity test for unstable compounds, such as 5,6-dihydroxyindole, using an Escherichia coli HB101/pBR322 transfection system

A mutagenicity test for unstable chemical compounds has been devised. The test makes use of (i) in vitro treatment of plasmid pBR322 with the putative mutagen (ii) subsequent transfection of Escherichia coli HB101; (iii) selection either on tetracycline- or ampicillin-containing Eugon agar (iv) cross-antibiotic replica plating and recovery of single antibiotic resistant colonies (v) restriction analysis of pBR322 isolated from single antibiotic resistant colonies. In this work the test has been used to assess the mutagenicity of 5,6-dihydroxyindole, a cytotoxic intermediate of melanin biosynthesis.

Autoimmune thyroid disease in the puerperium. Predictive value of thyroid enlargement and related hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy

The incidence of goiter detected during pregnancy and its significance as an indicator of autoimmune thyroid disease after delivery was investigated in a sample of 707 pregnant women (81% in their 2nd trimester of gestation). Goiter was detected in 106 subjects (15%). Blood T4, T3, TSH, free T4 index (FT4I), antimicrosomal antibodies (AMA) and urinary iodine excretion were measured in these women and in a control group of gravidas without goiter. These measurements were repeated at 1 and 3 months after delivery. Compared with controls during pregnancy, subjects with goiter had lower FT4I values (11.0 +/- 2.8 vs 9.0 +/- 1.8; p less than 0.01) and higher TSH values (2.9 +/- 0.6 microU/ml vs 4.2 +/- 2.1 microU/ml; p less than 0.01). In contrast, T4, T3, AMA and urinary iodine excretion values were similar in both groups. In subjects with goiter FT4I values increased over pregnancy levels at 1 month (11.2 +/- 2.0; p less than 0.05) and 3 months (14.0 +/- 3.0; p less than 0.05) after delivery; in 29% a biochemical hyperthyroidism (FT4I greater than 13.5) was detected. During the same period TSH values decreased significantly (1 month: 1.9 +/- 0.7 microU/ml; p less than 0.05; 3 months: 2.7 +/- 3.0 microU/ml; p less than 0.05). Frequency of positive AMA increased from 8.6% during pregnancy up to 32.1% in the post-delivery period (p less than 0.01). In the control group no variation in the FT4I, TSH or AMA were observed after delivery. These results indicate that goiter during pregnancy is common in Chilean gravidas and that it has predictive value for the appearance of autoimmune thyroid disease after delivery.

Changes of a high molecular mass proteinase activity during Bufo bufo development

1. A chymotrypsin-like proteolytic activity was found both in unfertilized eggs and in embryos of Bufo bufo. 2. A dramatical change of activity can be observed in the course of embryonic development. The activity rapidly increases after fertilization up to the stage 9 followed by a fall to a level close to unfertilized eggs. 3. Gel chromatography analysis reveals, in all stages of development, the presence of a single peak of proteinase activity characterized by a very high molecular mass. 4. Proteinase activity, found change during the development of Bufo bufo, was characterized by substrate specificity, protease inhibitor and pH effect. All results obtained suggest that the chymotrypsin-like activity can be assigned to the multicatalytic proteinase.

Transactivation of the adenovirus EIIa promoter in the absence of adenovirus E1A protein is restricted to mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos

Undifferentiated mouse embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells are capable of transactivating the adenovirus EIIa promoter in the absence of its normal transactivator, E1A protein, suggesting that EC cells contain an E1A-like activity. In an effort to identify where this activity appears during normal mouse development, mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos were injected with plasmids containing the EIIa promoter coupled to various reporter genes. These expression vectors were fully active in human 293 cells where E1A is present, but were inactive in differentiated fibroblast cell lines unless cotransfected with the E1A gene. In mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos, EIIa promoter activity in the absence of adenovirus E1A protein was equivalent to or greater than activity of the HSV thymidine kinase promoter coupled to a strong enhancer. Coinjection of the E1A gene failed to stimulate EIIa activity further, perhaps because c-myc protein, which has been reported to transactivate this promoter, was already present at high levels in mouse oocytes. Activation of the EIIa promoter in the absence of E1A was unique to mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos because gene expression from an EIIa promoter introduced into transgenic mice was observed only in the adult ovary, and particularly in the oocytes. In addition, post-implantation transgenic embryos failed to express the E1A-activatable reporter gene, thereby indicating that expression from the EIIa promoter is restricted to the relatively undifferentiated stages of oogenesis and preimplantation development. These data suggest that cellular promoters of the class that can be transactivated by E1A may serve uniquely to initiate transcription of genes that are needed for preimplantation development.

Treatment of childhood bacterial meningitis

One hundred and eighty-seven children with identified bacterial meningitis were treated with intravenous cefotaxime: 15 patients were neonates, 79 infants, and 93 were aged from 1 to 14 years. Causative organisms were: Neisseria meningitidis in 80 cases, Streptococcus pneumoniae in 41, Haemophilus influenzae in 40, enteric gram-negative bacilli in 20 and Staphylococcus spp. in six. Enteric gram-negative bacilli included: Salmonella spp. in 14 cases, Klebsiella pneumoniae in two, and Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sakazakii and Acinobacter calcoaceticus in one each; in one case the organism was not specified. Daily dose of cefotaxime was 150 to 300 mg/kg. Concomitant treatment with an aminoglycoside was used in seven cases. One hundred and seventy-two patients (92.0%) were cured. Fever persisted for a mean of five days and meningeal signs for a mean of four days. Fifteen (8.0%) patients died: most [13] of them were admitted in coma, and two in shock. Death occurred in the first 48 h in ten cases. Sterilization of CSF was achieved in the first 72 h of treatment in 155 (90.1%) of the cured patients. Cefotaxime was well tolerated. CSF penetration of cefotaxime was evaluated in seven patients: concentrations ranged from 0.499 mg/l to 2.829 mg/l. Based on this clinical study, cefotaxime is an effective and safe drug for the treatment of childhood bacterial meningitis.

Human leptospirosis--a review of 50 cases

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of 50 consecutive patients, 47 adults and three children, hospitalized between 1977 and 1987 for human leptospirosis, were reviewed. 45 (90%) of the patients were from rural regions. 32 (64%) cases occurred in individuals at occupational risk for the infection. 35 (70%) cases were registered in the warm season. The source of infection was known in 34 (68%) cases. Weil's disease was diagnosed in 31 (62%) patients, aseptic meningitis in 12 (24%) and acute unexplained fever in seven (14%). Haemodialysis was required for 11 (35%) patients with Weil's disease. Three (6%) patients died. Cause of death was massive gastrointestinal haemorrhage in two and renal failure in one. Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae was responsible for 39 (78%) cases, Leptospira canicola for six (12%), Leptospira grippotyphosa for two (4%), and Leptospira australis, Leptospira ballum and Leptospira sejroe, for one case each. A muscle biopsy was performed in six patients and a renal biopsy in three. Focal necrotic muscular changes, with mild mononuclear infiltrate, were found. Pigmented casts in distal convoluted tubules, mild interstitial inflammatory infiltrate and mesangial enlargement of some glomeruli were observed in kidney biopsies. A good knowledge of the protean clinical manifestations of leptospirosis and an accurate laboratory study are required for a correct diagnosis.

Liposome-entrapped tyrosinase: a tool to investigate the regulation of the Raper-Mason pathway

The effect of the entrapment of mushroom tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) within liposomes on the enzyme activity and Km vs. L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine is reported in the present work; the effect of cholesterol insertion within liposome membranes on the enzyme activity has also been studied. The oxidation rates of various monophenols and diphenols by free and liposome-integrated mushroom tyrosinase were measured and the oxidation latencies vs. different substrates investigated. The different substrates are apparently oxidized according to the properties of the substituents as electron donors or acceptors; the Km values vs. L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine calculated on measuring O2 consumption are higher than those calculated on measuring the dopachrome production rates. It is interesting that natural substrates of tyrosinase are oxidized according to a negative catalysis by the liposome-entrapped enzyme; this point is discussed in relation to the well known cytotoxicity of some intermediates of the Raper-Mason pathway.

Psychiatric morbidity among medical out-patients in Spain: a case for new methods of classification

A study was carried out to document the psychiatric disturbances among consecutive first-day attenders to an internal medicine out-patient clinic in Spain. Subjects were interviewed in three different stages using standardized procedures, basically the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS). As hypothesized, the rate of disturbances was high (46.9%) and their classification with ICD-9 criteria was problematic. Minor affective disturbances were the most common diagnoses; the distribution of anxiety and depression scores followed the 'two correlated dimensions' model. The psychopathological differences between 'cases' and 'non-cases' seemed quantitative rather than qualitative. Absence of organicity, a pattern of multiple consultations and social problems were more frequent among the 'cases'. These data support the use of multiaxial classificatory systems. Ten supervised interviews significantly improved the internist recognition of 'cases' and the suggestion is made that a single routine question about the patients' mood would sensibly improve the detection rates.

A study on the in vitro interaction between tyrosinase and glutathione S-transferase

The actions of glutathione S-transferase and tyrosinase on the in vitro production of glutathionyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and the dopachrome level in the presence of GSH and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine were studied. No clear evidence of complementarity between tyrosinase and glutathione S-transferase was observed; on the contrary, in the presence of glutathione S-transferase the glutathionyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine yield was lower than with tyrosinase only, as measured by HPLC. It is concluded that the spontaneous conjugation of GSH with dopaquinone should probably be high enough to scavenge the toxic quinone and to produce precursors for phaeomelanogenesis.

Restriction patterns of model DNA treated with 5,6-dihydroxyindole, a potent cytotoxic intermediate of melanin synthesis: effect of u.v. irradiation

The interaction of 5,6-dihydroxyindole, a putative cytotoxic intermediate of melanin synthesis, with model lambda phage DNA has been investigated by using type II restriction endonucleases and CsCl buoyant density centrifugation. As evidenced by agarose gel electrophoresis and density gradient profiles, the 5,6-dihydroxyindole or u.v. treated DNAs, restricted or not, are modified. U.v. irradiation enhances 5,6-dihydroxyindole binding to DNA, but no sequence specific binding was observed. The action of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine on the restriction patterns of lambda phage DNA was also investigated and the effect appeared smaller, by qualitative evaluation, than that produced by 5,6-dihydroxyindole.

Glutathione transferase activity during Bufo bufo development

High levels of glutathione transferase activity were measured during the development of the embryos of Bufo bufo including unfertilized eggs. After stage 4 glutathione transferase activity gradually decreased until stage 25 when the minimum was reached. No change in the number of isozymes was noted during development according to isoelectric focusing analysis performed on the cytosolic fractions of selected stages.

Glutathione peroxidases and glutathione reductase activities during Bufo bufo development

Glutathione peroxidases and glutathione reductase activities are expressed from the early stage of Bufo bufo development. Selenium-dependent and selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activities fluctuated independently. The activity of selenium-independent was found to be higher than that of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase through all stages of development. Glutathione reductase activity, after a slight fall from stage 4 to stage 7, constantly increased up to stage 25.

5,6-Dihydroxyindole oxidation by mammalian, mushroom and amphibian tyrosinase preparations

The oxidation of 5,6-dihydroxyindole by tyrosinases from mushroom, Harding-Passey melanoma, bovine eye and Bufo bufo embryo has been investigated. The apparent Km values for this substrate were measured and found to be of the same order of magnitude as those for L-tyrosine and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, as reported in the literature (5 x 10(-4) M). The 5,6-dihydroxyindole oxidases of mushroom and T4 melanoma isozyme are sensitive to phenylthiourea, while, on the other hand, those from crude preparations of bovine and B. bufo tyrosinases are not sensitive to the inhibitor in an evident manner. The action of some indole derivatives on the 5,6-dihydroxyindole oxidase of mushroom has also been investigated.

Abnormalities of interdigestive motility complex and increased duodenogastric reflux in gastric ulcer patients

Just as cyclic changes in motility and secretions occur during fasting, recent evidence demonstrates that duodenogastric reflux during fasting is also cyclic and related to the motility and secretory variations. We investigated the characteristics of the migrating motility complex and duodenogastric reflux in 17 patients with gastric ulcer and compared these characteristics to those of 16 healthy subjects. We found three abnormalities of the complex in patients with gastric ulcer: (1) the antral motility was significantly decreased during the phase II of the complex (P less than 0.05) when compared to controls; (2) in about two thirds of them, the phase III of the complex was initiated at the duodenum or more distally; and (3) the mean bile salt concentration in the gastric aspirate was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than that of the controls. We observed no relationship between the ulcer activity, the location of the crater, and the motility or reflux abnormalities.

The ecology of the yeast flora in necroticOpuntia cacti and of associatedDrosophila in Australia

A survey was made of the yeast communities isolated from necrotic tissue of 4 species of prickly-pear cacti (Opuntia stricta, O. tomentosa, O. monacantha, andO. streptacantha) which have colonized in Australia. Yeast communities were sampled from a number of localities and at different times. Cactus specific yeasts accounted for 80% of the total isolates, and the 3 most common species contributed 63% of the total. Comparisons of the species compositions of the yeast communities indicated that the differences among communities were greater betweenOpuntia species than between different localities within a single cactus species, and also that differences between years were greater than average differences between localities within years. Multivariate statistical tests of association between yeast community and physical features of rots indicated that temperature, pH, and age of rot all exerted some influence on the structure of the yeast community. Similar analyses involvingDrosophila species inhabiting these cactus rots suggested the existence of complex associations betweenDrosophila community, yeast community, and physical and chemical attributes of the cactus necroses.

Comparative effect of gastrin on hydrogen ion secretion, antroduodenal motility and the interdigestive motility complex (IDMC) in man

The physiological role of gastrin in H+ secretion is well established. We decided to study the effects of physiological doses of gastrin (as evidenced by H+ secretion and postprandial serum gastrin levels) on antroduodenal motility in order to delineate its role in antral motility regulation. Nine healthy male subjects, mean age 31 years, had two studies on different days. On day 1, gastroduodenal motility was monitored with a continuously perfused catheter system while gastric secretions were aspirated. After a basal period of 45 min, human synthetic gastrin (hG-17) was infused intravenously in consecutive doses of 6.25, 25, 100, and 400 pmol/kg/hr during 45 min each. On day 2, all subjects had a standard protein meal. Blood was withdrawn on both days for gastrin measurement by RIA. Increasing amounts of hG-17 caused a stepwise increase in serum gastrin and acid output. The D50 for H+ secretion was 25 pmol/kg/hr hG-17. The mean postprandial gastrin level was 31 +/- 5 pM, a level which was comparable to that seen during infusion of hG-17 6.25 pmol/kg/hr. At these serum gastrin levels, antral motility was either reduced or unchanged. Duodenal motility was unchanged. A reduction in the antroduodenal motility ratio was seen at these levels, but there was no interruption of the interdigestive motility complex. These results suggest that at physiological levels, gastrin by itself does not seem to have a major role in human antroduodenal motility regulation.

A yeast related ethanol intoxication syndrome in experimental calves: prevention with nystatin

In a calf nutrition-metabolism study in which a high glucose (60% glucose and 3% lard) versus a high fat (23% glucose and 30% lard) milk replacer were compared, a syndrome characterized by anorexia, an unstable gait, depression, a distended abdomen and an odor of alcohol on the breath was observed in some calves. These signs were associated with intoxicating levels of plasma ethanol and the predominance of the yeast species Torulopsis glabrata in gastrointestinal contents of afflicted calves. Nystatin, a yeast inhibitor, was extremely useful in preventing the problem.

[Myasthenia and Basedow's hyperthyroidism]

The authors report an exceptional case of myasthenia gravis associated with Graves' disease. Myasthenia gravis appeared at age 8 years. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed at age 12 1/2 and quickly worsened, with signs of cardiothyrotoxicosis. In addition to the diagnostic difficulties, the immunologic origin seems to be implicated in these diseases. Thymectomy associated with subtotal thyroidectomy was performed, with good results during an 18 months follow-up.

Possible genotoxicity of melanin synthesis intermediates: tyrosinase reaction products interact with DNA in vitro

The actual cellular target of the cytotoxic intermediates of melanin synthesis is not yet known. In the present paper it is shown that eukaryotic DNA binds in vitro to soluble reaction products of tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) and is physically modified, as ascertained by the following criteria: (a) buoyant density in cesium chloride density gradients; (b) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; (c) deoxyribonuclease (EC 3.1.4.5) test; (d) electron microscopy. The results reported here support the view that DNA itself may be a target for the cytotoxic intermediates of melanin synthesis.

Tyrosinase-like activity in normal human substantia nigra

A tyrosinase-like activity was found in human substantia nigra by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of fractions prepared from homogenates of the substantia nigra. The enzyme activity was detected by staining the gels with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine and 5,6-dihydroxyindole as substrates for tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1). A case of parkinsonism does not show the L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and dopamine oxidase activities.

Electrophysiologic findings in long-term asymptomatic chagasic individuals

Under electrophysiologic studies, 44 asymptomatic chagasic individuals were studied. The mean age was 39.9 years, with 26 being male. The surface ECG showed normal tracings in 12 patients, left anterior fascicular block in three, incomplete right bundle branch block in two, and right bundle branch block in 27 (isolated in six, associated with left anterior fascicular block in 19 and with left posterior fascicular block in two). Sinus nodal dysfunction was found in eight (18.1%), and 29 (66%) presented with some form of abnormal AV nodal behavior during atrial stimulation. Repetitive ventricular beats were recorded in 17 (41.4%) patients. Finally, in 19 (43.1%), patterns of dysfunction at two or more levels of the cardiac conducting system were found. It is concluded that the chagasic cardiomyopathy produces diffuse lesions in the conducting tissue of the human heart in the stages when the disease is detected, and that the individuals are still asymptomatic.

Harding-passey mouse-melanoma tyrosinase inactivation by reaction products and activation by L-epinephrine

1. Harding-Passey mouse-melanoma tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) is inhibited during L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine oxidation by reaction products. L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl 3-[14C]alanine oxidation products bind to the enzyme, as demonstrated by gel electrophoresis and radioactivity measurements. 2. The enzyme interacts with indoles and oxidizes dopamine and norepinephrine. 3. L-epinephrine activates tyrosinase at non hormonal concentrations and bovine serum albumin protects the enzyme from auto-inhibition. 4. The inhibition of the Harding-Passey mouse-melanoma tyrosinase, during substrate oxidation, is very similar to that of mushroom enzyme.

Heterogeneity of the yeast flora in the breeding sites of cactophilic Drosophila

Yeasts were isolated from 278 rots in cladodes and basal stems of Opuntia stricta sampled over 15 months at one locality. The most common yeast species among 370 nonidentical isolates representing 20 species were Candida sonorensis (27% of isolates) and Pichia cactophila (24%). These species generally were present in all months and throughout the area sampled. Other relatively common species (3–9% of alt isolates) had much more restricted distributions in both time and space. The mean number of yeast species per rot was 1.27 ± 0.082, and no yeasts were isolated from 20% of the rots sampled. Significant differences among months or seasons in average number of yeast species per rot were due primarily to lower numbers in the summer and winter months, while differences among rot types resulted mainly from a higher number in the longer persisting basal stem rots. Both hierarchical diversity analysis and analysis of the distributions of the 10 most common yeast species showed temporal effects (month or season) to be the major component contributing to heterogeneity, while microgeographic effects and rot type also were significant. The seasonal and microgeographic heterogeneity are interpreted in terms of longer persisting rots in part of the locality providing a reservoir for yeast species through the winter and are discussed in relation to the maintenance of genetic variation in cactophilic Drosophila that utilize the rots as feeding and breeding sites.

A study on melanogenesis and catecholamine biosynthesis during Bufo bufo development

Tyrosinase and L-DOPA decarboxylase activities have been investigated during Bufo bufo development since catecholamines and melanin are formed from common substrates in homologous cells. Catecholamines first appear at stage 13 (neural plate), but tyrosinase, at a very low level, and L-DOPA decarboxylase are present throughout all of prior development. Hence, L-DOPA decarboxylase activity is not likely to be correlated with the control of catecholamine synthesis, although at stage 17 it is mainly localized in the nonneural part of the embryo. The distribution of young melanosomes and L-DOPA decarboxylase suggest a separation between melanogenesis and catecholamine synthesis.

Developmental aspects of hexose metabolism in Bufo bufo

Due to the close correlation between glucose mobilization and utilization within animal tissues, in this paper, the stages of appearance of phosphorylase, glucose-6-phosphatase and hexokinase as well as the levels of some intermediates of glucose metabolism have been investigated during Bufo bufo development. Phosphorylase first appears at stage 13 and is dominant in the neural part of the embryo, but, after this stage, increases relatively more in the nonneural one. Hexokinase appears at stage 17 and glucose-6-phosphatase soon after. Phosphorylase appearance at stage 13 is correlated with an increase of lactate content in the embryo; this may indicate a metabolization of hexoses. On this basis, the subsequent appearance of hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities also seems coherent with hexose mobilization and utilization within embryo. No direct causative factor for the changes observed was evident.

In situ immunofluorescent visualization of chromosomal transcripts in polytene chromosomes

The induction and distribution of chromosomal transcripts in the polytene chromosomes of D. melanogaster and D. hydei has been investigated by indirect immunofluorescence using an antiserum directed against DNA/RNA hybrids. The fluorescence was intense and occurred in most of the chromosomal subdivisions when the chromosomes were exposed to denaturing conditions and then allowed to reanneal. The extent of hybrid formation depended both on the extent of DNA denaturation and on the maintenance of RNA integrity. Fluorescence was absent from chromosomes treated with pancreatic RNase before denaturation. The velocity of the chromosomal DNA/RNA hybridization reaction and the effects of the initiation inhibitor of RNA synthesis, DRB, suggest that in order to hybridize the RNA has to be located in its transcriptional compartment. Even though overall patterns of fluorescence seem to be similar during a developmental stage, variations were observed, particularly some correlated with puff induction after ecdysone stimulation.